Ventilating device



' March 7 c. K. RAZAK 3,309,979

VENTILATING DEVICE Filed Dec. 21, 1964 Ill . WM INVENTOR. lyri y GHARL 53 K. RAZAK United States Patent 3,309,979 VENTELATENG DEVICE Charles K. Razak, 301 hitting Bldg, Wichita, Kans. 67202 Filed Dec. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 420,017 3 Claims. (CI. 98-78) This invention relates to ventilation. More specifically, this invention relates to a ventilation device which can be mounted on the extending end of a chimney, air vent, stack or the like, which will prevent downdrafts in the chimney, vent stack or the like which may other wise temporarily and/or intermittently stop the upward flow of air or gases.

The goal of ventilator or aspirator devices is to cause a flow of air, or combustion gases to dependently occur through a chimney, flue, stack or the like regardless of the direction, velocity and inclination of the local air in the vicinity in the chimney, vent, stack or the like. In order for a ventilator device to efliciently perform the goal of preventing downdrafts in a chimney, stack, or vent, it must maintain a local pressure at the outlet which is less than the pressure in the interior of the building, and it must prevent the chimney, stack, vent, or the like, from downdrafts which could temporarily or intermittently stop the upward flow of air or gases from same. Further, it is desirable in many instances that some provision be made to prevent rain, snow, or other foreign material from entering the chimney, vent, or stack.

In conditions of absolute calm, only the differential pressure resulting from gravity forces, i.e. gradients in the air or gas density, are available to produce stack or ventilation action. The heated air from the building interior is lower in density than the exterior cooler air and it therefore rises from and through the stack or chimney. Ordinarily no device is necessary in conditions of calm to cause the stack or ventilator to operate properly, and an open chimney or vent will suffice.

When the wind is blowing complex flow situations often exist about buildings. Eddies from eaves, roof lines, parapets, adjacent buildings, trees, and other interfering objects make it unlikely that a uniform flow will exist across or in the vicinity in the chimney or stack outlet unless it is located at some height, usually at a substantially height above the highest portion of the building. Even then, the local flow around an open outlet of a chimney stack or vent will often be erratic because a turbulent pattern is produced by the shape of the chimney or stack itself. This phenomena is well documented in aerodynamic literature.

The consequence of the turbulent or eddying flow, whether caused by adjacent objects or by the stack itself, is a pressure pulsation at the top of the stack, which may have an average or mean value higher than the pressure of the room or building which the stack is to ventilate. This situation can produce extreme discomfort in the building, as for example, when the smoke and combustion materials are forced downwardly into the building.

Ventilator devices for controlling or dampening out the pressure pulsations are known. The conventional ventilator caps or flue tops attempt to shield the top of the stack from these pressure pulsations by (1) either directing the air in the manner calculated to prevent local turbulence, or (2) dampening out the pulsations. In general however, the known existing ventilator devices do not make the efficient use of the energy of the wind approaching the ventilator devices, and the efficiencies of the devices are thereby reduced. Many of the known ventilating devices do not provide a suitable way of shielding the open end of the ventilator or chimney to prevent rain or other foreign objects from entering the chimney or vent. Further in devices that do provide a suitable way to provide a means to prevent entry of foreign objects, the efiiciency of the devices for producing updraft is very seriously reduced. In general, the known devices do not utilize the air velocity in an efficient manner to produce a dependable constant updraft. Also these devices in general do not provide a means to prevent passage of material into the chimney without materially reducing the effectiveness of the devices.

I have invented a new ventilator device. The ventilator of my invention has a base, which can be mounted on the extending end of a chimney, ventilator, stack or the like. A plurality of vertically spaced baffle elements having central apertures are provided and arranged to define a vertical air passage of upwardly increasing cross sectional area. The baffle elements each have an upwardly and inwardly inclined surface.

Means are preferably provided for supporting the baflle elements relative to the base.

A preferred specific embodiment of my invention includes the aforementioned ventilator device in combination with a pyramidal or conical shaped cap covering the opening of the chimney vent or stack and disposed centrally of the bame elements. The cap element of my invention has a fiat sloping surface providing a plurality of spaced outwardly extending tabs therein.

My invention solves all of the problems associated with the ventilator known to the prior art. My ventilator device will in operation produce an upwardly directed current of air in the vicinity of the open end of the chimney, stack, vent, or the like, which produces an updraft in the chimney, stack, or vent. An updraft is efficiently produced with my ventilator device irregardless of the wind velocity, wind inclination or wind direction. A specific embodiment of my ventilator device is provided with a cap for the chimney, stack, or vent, which prevents foreign material from entering. The combination of the cap and the baflies of the ventilator device of my invention cooperate in such a manner that the resultant upward flow of air produced by the device is not interfered with. Still further, my ventilator device is very rugged, strong, and simple and inexpensive to manufacture. The ventilator device of my invention can be very simply and easily installed on the upwardly extending end of any chimney, vent, or stack, and requires no maintenance or manipulation.

An object of this invention is to produce a new ventilator means.

Still another object of this invention is to invent a new ventilator device having a cap means to prevent entry of foreign material.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a new ventilator device which is very efiicient in operation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new ventilator device which produces an updraft in the chimney stack or vent or the like irrespective of the wind velocity, direction, and inclination.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new ventilator device that is rugged and strong, and can be simply and inexpensively manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of the new ventilator device of my invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure.

Drawings accompany and are a part of this disclosure. These drawings depict preferred specific embodiments of the new ventilator device of my invention and it is to be understood that such drawings are not to unduly limit the scope of my invention. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view in partial cross section and broken section illustrating a preferred specific embodiment of the new ventilator device of my invention mounted on a chimney.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the ventilator device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational View in cross section of another preferred specific embodiment of my invention shown mounted on an air vent.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view in enlarged scale in cross section illustrating the construction of a flap in this cap element.

The following is a discussion and description of the new ventilator means of my invention made with reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/ or structure. The discussion and description is of preferred specific embodiments of the new ventilator device of my invention, and it is to be understood that such is not to unduly limit the scope of my invention.

Referring now to the drawings, more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated ventilator device 16 of my invention shown mounted on a chimney 20. The ventilator device has a rectangular shaped base member 12 having four flat vertically disposed sides 14, and horizontally inwardly extending flanges 16 on the top portion of sides 14. The base 12 is adapted to be mounted on the top of a chimney 20 with the sides 14 of the base surrounding the chimney and with the flanges 1.6 abutting the top surface. It is understood that the ventilator device can be made of any suitable shape or size in order to adapt it to be mounted on the top of any suitable type of chimney, vent or stack. For example the ventilator base M can be made in a rectangular shape, square shape, or circular shape if necessary or desired. The ventilator device 10 can be secured to chimney 10 by straps 15. In FIG. 1 the chimney illustrated has a flue 22 mounted in the bottom portion which can be attached to a stove, furnace or the like. In the bottom portion of chimney 20 is provided a pan element 24 provided with an outlet 26. In normal use the pan 24 will receive rain, snow, hail, etc. that falls into the chimney, and be drained by drain 26. A clean out door 28 is also normally provided. The chimney represents normal construction and does not constitute part of the invention. It is illustrated and described to provide background for the use of ap' plicants invention.

A plurality of vertically spaced, concentrically arranged, centrally apertured, baffie elements 30 are mounted on base 12. The baffie elements 30 are normally rectangular in shape and are of dissimilar sizes. The bafiie elements are arranged in increasing size with height to define a vertical air passage of gradually upwardly increasing cross sectional area. The bafiie elements 30 are provided with small cylindrically shaped lower peripheral outside edge portion 32 which are joined to upwardly curved air deflecting portions 34. This construction is most clearly shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. A tangent to the outside leading edge of curved portion 34 should be approximately horizontal. A tangent to the inside upper edge of curved portion 34 should preferably be upwardly inclined at an angle in the range of 45 and 60 degrees. The angle of deflection of the air flowing through the baflies 30 will preferably be between 45 and 66 degrees from the horizontal. The ratio of the gap between the baffle elements 30 to the length of the chord of the curve on the bafiles is preferably between .5 to 1.5. The leading cylindrically shaped edge portion 32 of the baflies will prevent turbulent separation of the air stream flowing over the baffles at the various angles of approach. A reinforcing rod 36 is disposed in the cylindrically shaped edge portions 32 to lend strength to the unit. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower baffle can be flat if desired.

Flat, spaced, vertically disposed baflie elements 40 are positioned between and transverse to the curved baffle elements 30 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The bathe elements 4% provide support for the curved baflies 36 and are joined to the base 12. A screen or cover 42 can be secured to 'base 12 in overlying relation to the chimney outlet if necessary or desirable. When there is an external flow or air through the baffles 30 of the ventilator device It), the fiow is directed upwardly over the opening of the chimney, stack, vent or the like. This upward flow dependably occurs irrespective of wind direction and inclination. A flow acceleration occurs in the vicinity of the opening which becomes a region of low pressure which assists in the evacuation of air or gases from the chimney, stack, vent or the like. It can be seen that the energy of the flow of external air is used to provide the low pressure which will prevent downdrafts etc., and aid in the evacuation of air. The ventilator device 10 of my invention is therefore adapted to produce an updraft in a flue, chimney, air vent, or stack irrespective of prevailing wind direction, velocity, and inclination.

In FIG. 3 is illustrated a metal pyramidal shaped cap 50 which can be secured to the base 12 to provide a protection for preventing wind, rain, hail, sleet, etc., and other foreign material from entering the outlet of the chimney, stack, vent, etc. The cap 59 has four sloping surfaces with a plurality of horizontal and parallel vertically spaced outwardly extending flaps 52 overlying open ings 54. The flaps 52 are formed in the surfaces of cap 50 by making a U-shaped cut in the surface and bending the flap outwardly as indicated. Preferably the outer edge 55 on the flap 52 is bent upwardly as indicated in FIG. 4. It is understood that the cap 50 can be made in any suitable shape to cover the opening as for example circular, square, rectangular, etc. The cap 50 will prevent rain, ice, snow, etc. from falling into the opening of the vent or stack and will not interfere with the upwardly directed flow air produced by the baffles 34.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art various changes and modifications of the preferred ventilator device of my invention can be made or followed without departing from the spirit of the disclosure or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A ventilator device for a flue or the like comprising, a rectangular base member having four fiat vertically disposed sides, and horizontally inwardly extending flanges on the top portions of said sides, said base adapted to be mounted on the top of a flue or the like with said sides surrounding the flue and the flanges abutting the top edge portion thereof, a plurality of rectangular, vertically spaced, concentrically arranged, centrally apertured first baflle elements mounted on said base, said first bafiie elements being of dissimilar sizes and arranged with the sizes thereof increasing with height to define a vertical air passage of gradually upwardly increasing cross sectional area, each of said first baffie elements having a small cylindrically shaped lower outside edge portion joined to an upwardly curved air deflecting portion with the curve of said curved portion progressively increasing in pitch, a reinforcing rod disposed in said cylindrically shaped edge portions, a plurality of flat, spaced, vertically disposed second baflle elements positioned between and transverse to said first b aille elements, said second haffle elements secured to said first baflle elements and supporting same on said base, a metal pyramidal shaped cap for said flue or the like secured to said base having four flat sloping surfaces, a plurality of horizontal and parallel vertically spaced, outwardly extending flaps on each of said sloping surfaces overlying openings in said surfaces, the combined area of the openings in said cap being in excess of the horizontal cross sectional area of the flue or the like, said ventilator device adapted to produce an updraft in said flue or the like irrespective of prevailing wind direction and inclination, and with said cap preventing entry of rain, hail and snow from entering said flue.

2. A ventilator device comprising, a base member having a central aperture, a plurality of vertically spaced concentrically arranged centrally apertured first baflie elements mounted on said base, said first balile elements arranged vertically in increasing size to define a vertical air passage of gradually upwardly increasing cross sectional area, the cross sectional configuration of said first baffle elements having a curved cross sectional configuration with the outside edge portion being substantially tangential to the horizontal, and the inside edge substantially tangential to an inclined plane positioned at an angle in the range of 45 to 60 degrees, a plurality of flat spaced vertically disposed second bafile elements positioned between and transverse to said first baflle elements, said second bafile elements supporting said bafile elements on said base, a pyramidal shaped cap secured to said base overlying said central aperture in said base, said cap having flat sloping surfaces, a plurality of spaced outwardly extending tabs in said surfaces overlying openings therein, said ventilator device adapted to produce an updraft in said air passage irrespective of prevail-ing wind direction and inclination, while preventing rain, snow, and hail from entering the central aperture of said base.

3. A ventilating device comprising, a base having an aperture, a plurality of vertically spaced aperturcd first stantially tangential to an upwardly projecting and outwardly sloping inclined plane, a plurality of spaced substantially vertically disposed second baffle elements positioned between and transverse to said first baffle elements, said second baffie elements connected to said base, an upwardly projecting cap mounted over said aperture in said base and inside said first baflle elements, said cap having a sloping surface, and a plurality of spaced outwardly extending tabs in said surface overlying openings therein, said ventilator device adapted to produce an updraft in said air passage, irrespective of prevailing Wind direction and inclination, while preventing rain, snow and hail from entering said aperture in said base,

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,957,971 5/1934 Martin 98-83 2,269,050 -1/ 1942 Zimmerman 98--78 2,830,526 4/ 1958 Breidert 9 878 X 2,922,354 1/1960 Breidert et al 98-84 X FOREIGN PATENTS 463,690 4/1937 Great Britain.

ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

M. A. ANTONAKAS, Assistant Examiner. 

3. A VENTILATING DEVICE COMPRISING, A BASE HAVING AN APERTURE, A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SPACED APERTURED FIRST BAFFLE ELEMENTS MOUNTED ON SAID BASE, SAID FIRST BAFFLE ELEMENTS ARRANGED VERTICALLY IN GENERALLY INCREASING SIZE AND DEFINING A GENERALLY VERTICAL AIR PASSAGE THROUGH THE APERTURES THEREOF AND THE APERTURE IN SAID BASE OF GENERALLY UPWARDLY INCREASING CROSS SECTIONAL AREA, THE OUTSIDE EDGE PORTION OF SAID FIRST BAFFLE ELEMENTS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY TANGENTIAL TO THE HORIZONTAL AND THE INSIDE EDGE SUBSTANTIALLY TANGENTIAL TO AN UPWARDLY PROJECTING AND OUTWARDLY SLOPING INCLINED PLANE, A PLURALITY OF SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY DISPOSED SECOND BAFFLE ELEMENTS POSITIONED BETWEEN AND TRANSVERSE TO SAID FIRST BAFFLE ELEMENTS, SAID SECOND BAFFLE ELEMENTS CONNECTED TO SAID BASE, AN UPWARDLY PROJECTING CAP MOUNTED OVER SAID APERTURE IN SAID BASE AND INSIDE SAID FIRST BAFFLE ELEMENTS, SAID CAP HAVING A SLOPING SURFACE, AND A PLURALITY OF SPACED OUTWARDLY EXTENDING TABS IN SAID SURFACE OVERLYING OPENINGS THEREIN, SAID VENTILATOR DEVICE ADAPTED TO PRODUCE AN UPDRAFT IN SAID AIR PASSAGE, IRRESPECTIVE OF PREVAILING WIND DIRECTION AND INCLINATION, WHILE PREVENTING RAIN, SNOW AND HAIL FROM ENTERING SAID APERTURE IN SAID BASE. 